Spring-wheel.



F. SMITH.

SPRING WHEEL.

'APPLIOATIOH FIL-BD Aran, 1911.

Patented Feb. 13,- i912.

:cluding` improved means for holding theV FRANK SMITH, F ROSSVILLE, GEORGIA.

SPRING-WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led April 11, 1911.

Patented Feb. 13, 1912. Serial No. 620,349.

To all whom it may concern:

le it known that- I, FRANK SiiiTH, a eiti- :cen of the United States, residing at Rossville, in the county ot' llvallrer and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful lniliiroveinents in Spring-lvlieels, oity which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of spring wheels having two rims between which are interposed coiled springs to take up the shorlts and vibrations caused by the travel of the wheel over rough roads or obstructions; and it theobject ot the invention to provide a wheel of this kind embodying certain novel features of construction to be4 hereinafter described and claimed, in-

parts assembled so that they can be readily discoiiiiccted 'for repairs.

ln the accompanying drawing forming a part ot this specification, Figure 1 is an ele,- vation; partly broken away, otI a wheel constructed in accordance with the present iiivention. Figs. 2 and 3 are sections on thc lines 2-2 and 3- 3, respectively, ot Fig. l.

Referring specifically to the drawing, 5 denotes the huh of the wheel. The two rims are indicated a't 6 and i, respectively7 these two riins being arranged conccntricallv rThe riin (i, which is the inner one, is rigidly connected to the hub by spokes 8. ',lhe outer riin T is spaced troni the inner rini, and bctwecn the two rims are interposed radially arranged coiled springs t). The outer rin'i is so arranged with respect to the inner rim that said rims are free to move radially relai tive to cach other. llowevcr, relative rotary movement of the rims is prevented by the nieans to be presently described.

The riin 7 has an outer channel iii which is mounted :i solid rubber or other tii'c 1t), and troni the inner periphery otl said riin. on opposite sides thereot7 extend annular llangcs ll. "he space between these flanges l'ornls an annular channel into which thc springs t) extend at one ot'lthcir ends, said ends engaging the inner periphery ot' the riin 7. 'l`hc other ends ot' thc spring engage an annular `band 12 encircling the outer periphery ot the riin t3, and secured thereto. l`hc ends ot' the springs arc inade fast by any suitable n'ieans. lhc rini (3 also sci-ves to support two annular plates 125 serving as niud gnarils, said plates being located on opposite sides ot' the whccl. (hie end ot' the band l2 has an outstanding flange 14 which extends over the inner edge of one of the plates 13. The other end ot the band 12 is bent` inwardly along the corresponding side of the riin G and thence outwardly to form a channel 1.5. The plate 13 on this side of the wheel. has its inner periphery in engagement with the band 12 and it is held in place by a ring 16 which seats in the channel 15 and is ot such a widthras to overlap the inner end oic the last-mentioned plate, 13. The ring'is split7 and has outstanding ears 17 at its ends through which is threaded a clamping screw" 18 for contracting the ring, and thereby locking it in the. channel l5. Upon loosening the clamping screw, the ring expands and it may then be removed from the channel, thus releasing the plate 13 so that it may be removed. The plates 1? are connected across by bolts 19 which also pass through lues 20 on the band 12. The flanges 11 extend with a sliding tit between the plates 13 in order that the herein descrilied relative radial movement of the two rims may take place.

In order to liniit the relative radial movement ot the two rims, there are located in the channel torined by'the tianges l1, lugs 21, said lugs being located opposite the lugs 20. These lugs arc adapted to come together when there is an excessive relative niovenient: ot.' the riins, thereby limiting the extent ot such movement. 'lhe plates 13 are also connected to the flanges 11 by bolts whereby relative rotation of the two riins is prevented. 'lhe plates are sl0tted as indicated at 23 through which the bolts-pass, in order that the herein described relative radial inoveincnt ot the rinismay take place.v

ly the structure herein described, a simple and ellicicnt spring wheel is had which ell'ectually serves the purpose Jfor which. it is designed. namely, to take thc place of a pneiiniatic-tire wheel, and thel parts are so arranged that they can be readily assembled, which makes thew'lieel easy to repair.

l claimt 1. A wheel comprising a hub, spaced inner and outer riins, the inner rizn being carried by the hub, and the outer riin having annular [langes on its inner periphery, cushioning elements interposed between the riins, and an annular band encircling and.

secured to the outer periphery of the inner rim, said band having a channel on oneside ot' the inner riin, annular plates encircling the band and Closingl up the space between the rims, the aforesaid llanges having a Sli ling engagement nilh the platee, :L loose oonneetion between the platesI and the flanges, a split ring seating in the aforesaid channel and engageable with one ot' the plates, means for contractingsaid ring in the channel7 integral lugs on the band, said lugs being located between the plaies, anil 'fastening,r means passing through the lugs and the plates. i

2. A wheel. comprisingaln1l),Spaee l innei.` and outer rinus, the inner riin being?,T carried by the hub, aiul the outer riln haring annular ilanges on its inner periphery, cushioning elementi 'interposed between the rims, an annular band encircling and eeeined to the inner riin, Said band having an onlstaniling flange on one siile and a ohnni'iel on y. the other side of the rim, annular plates en l circling the band and closing np the Space between the rims, the aforesaid annular llanges having a sliding engagement with the plates, and one ol said plates being in engagement with the outstanding. flange, a split ring seating in the aforesaid channel :intl engageahle with the other one of said platee, means for contracting the ring in the channel, a loose connection between the plates and the annular flanges, integral lugs on the band, said lugs being located between the plates, and fastening means passing through the lugs and the plates.

ln testimony whereof I affix Iny signature in ln'esenee ot two witnesses. 4

FRANK SMI'IH.

lllitnesses ll. A. illifii\'ri1lcn1 onn, L. S. lVnrr'r. 

